On this page:

• About the program
• Testimonials from previous students
• Frequently asked questions
• Student forms

Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are now closed.

Questions? Contact the Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Human Resources department at 808-535-7571.

Hawaiʻi Pacific Health's Medical Assistant Program is offered to high school seniors at no cost. Upon completion of the program and achievement of national certification, students will be considered for employment at an HPH facility.

The program consists of two semesters of coursework and 225 hours of clinical externships. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, administrative medical assisting and clinical medical assisting, among other classes. Everything in the program mirrors real-world scenarios, and the skills we teach come from real situations in the clinic.

“The program has helped me to get a real hands-on experience of what being in college and the medical field is like. Asides from the multiple skills we've learned, it's also helped me to become more confident and a better leader than when I first walked in.”

"I would definitely recommend this program to other students. It is a great stepping stone into the health field and provides students with many opportunities."

“My biggest take away from the program is improving my time management skills because it was a challenge figuring out how I could balance this program, school, as well as other extracurricular activities”

“I would recommend this program to others if they are able to handle the workload and sacrifice their time and availability. This program requires you to be on track and stay consistent with your work but at the same time, this program teaches you to have better responsibility, the professors treat you like a real adult which also boosts maturity”

“The program has helped me to get a real hands-on experience of what being in college and the medical field is like. Asides from the multiple skills we've learned, it's also helped me to become more confident and a better leader than when I first walked in.”

Here are answers to common questions. (e.g., extracurricular activities, clubs, sports)

Medical assistants play a key role in delivering the highest-quality care to patients and their families. This includes assisting with patient care and procedures, administering medications, documenting routine office laboratory and diagnostic tests, as well as performing administrative medical office and business practices such as coding and billing.

The Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Medical Assistant program is one year in duration including a fall, spring, and summer semester. Classes take place during the student’s senior year of high school. Additionally, students complete a 225-hour externship during the summer after completing high school. The course load for each semester is equivalent to that of a full-time college student.

Classes and labs are held on weekdays and Saturdays to accommodate students’ schedule. Exact dates and times are based on the home campus’ bell schedule.

Hawaiʻi Pacific Health will sponsor tuition, professional fees, liability insurance, miscellaneous training fees, uniforms, and the certification exam and study materials. Students are responsible for the following: books, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff kit, secondhand watch, and shoes. Students are also responsible for any additional uniforms, any additional costs not sponsored by Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, and any outside costs not associated with the program.

There are no pre-requisites for the program.  If students have prior knowledge from a clinical health course, they can review medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and communication skills.

In order to balance the program and other activities (i.e., extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, etc.), it is important to communicate with your instructors and practice time management skills.

Preparedness is key! Students are encouraged to complete all assignments and readings prior to attending class. For every hour of class, plan to spend two to three hours studying outside of class. 

With the health industry shifting toward preventive care, medical assistants are in greater demand with job opportunities projected to continue at a rapid increase. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 16% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This program offers high school seniors an opportunity to jump into a career path after graduation with no tuition costs. Throughout the program, students will gain exposure to clinical settings creating an excellent foundation for any future career in healthcare.